A Word on PicturesA Shutterbug Taking pictures is a passion in my life. I graduated from a Kodak Box in my childhood to the high-grade camera I bought in Korea. All pictures were taken with a Yashika Lynx 5000 f/1.8 50mm lens, using Kodak 100 ASA Pan 35mm Black and White film set at 125 ASA. I paid $40.00 for the camera, which was almost an E-2’s month’s salary back in 1965. At first I had all my exposed film developed at the McGovern PX, but later I developed all my prints at the Blue Lancer Photo Lab on matte paper. Thirty-nine years later I found almost all of the negatives. I extend my warm appreciation to Rick, Elsa, Bernadette, and Frank who very patiently and contentedly bore with me when I ordered, approved or corrected, and reordered full-frame reprints at Sam’s Club #8280, El Paso, Texas.

Remember these negative sleeves from the PX?

I took all photos, except where otherwise credited. Marvin Garcia, a fellow adventurer, took all pictures of me with my Yashika at the BLV and adjacent sectors. I am in many pictures for two reasons: my folks wanted memories of me in Korea, and I wanted to show evidence of where I had been—since I lost negatives to buddies who never returned them. If some shots appear blurred, out of focus or off-toned, it is because of the moment’s difficulty of available light and other settings and adjustments regardless of eventual darkroom correction. These conditions included split-second decision of timing synchronization including speed, focus, and aperture variables of either stationary or moving objects with or without flash in weather conditions such as sheltering the camera lens from rain, snow, etc. I have always maintained that all photos are priceless as each one justifies its own existence. I have always held that one picture is worth one thousand words and that nothing can replace the picture you wish had been taken.

Remember ordering prints from your exposed film at the PX,

or purchasing a camera with your ration card?

A Word on Scans and Downloads As with many great shots some may require longer downloading time than others, however patience is a virtue and (in most cases) good things come to those to wait. Please know that much time and careful attention has been given to all submissions to maximize viewing enjoyment.

Submissions Your photos are welcome; please feel free to present your pictures with commentary. All material will be considered and properly edited, credited, reviewed, and returned. All photos may be cropped. To assure proper acknowledgment please be sure to include your name, rank, unit, and specialty (and crest if available). Very important, please furnish your tenure (or year) at the BLV and the year and/or season the photo was taken. Please feel free to provide correction, supplement with addenda, data, or identification for any picture or commentary in this website.

Courtesy All photos and material submitted is entrusted exclusively for publication in the bluelancervalley.org website. Please contact webmaster as a procedure for complimentary use and documentation purposes of any material. All material publicly utilized should be credited with “courtesy bluelancervalley.org” as a credit caption. Please recognize that bluelancervalley.org is operated and maintained by your generous contributions, and your donations are welcome and significantly appreciated.